This same rule applied back in the 1970s, during the CB radio boom. Technically, all of us who used CB radios were supposed to get a license, but virtually no one did (the FCC eventually amended their rules to permit operation without a license, because they realized they had lost control of the situation).

Except for those people who violated the five watt transmitting output limit, or those who caused a nuisance (which was a pretty high threshold, considering what went out over the air on an average day), I don't think anyone was ever actually prosecuted.

I still have my CB radio, and it still works, and yes, there are still people on the air using it.

In many ways, the CB radio was the forerunner of the Internet: a common, interactive medium, with everyone talking to everyone else, usually in the crudest manner possible, seldom showing any discernible intelligence, but having a ball doing it.

FCC did what it was supposed to: regulate the airwaves for the public good. Many many people used CB's so they said "ok, then since it's so popular, everyone can use one no issues". Same with the mic's & what not.

I looked at both the FCC site and also Wikipedia to see if I could get a concise definition of what the FCC is supposed to do. Their main, original purpose was and is to allocate the radio spectrum, and make sure that only those devices and those users who licensed to use each portion of the spectrum do so.

Over the years, they obviously started looking at and regulating the content that went out over these regulated frequencies. George Carlin's seven words, Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," and the Fairness Doctrine are just a few examples.

This wireless mic article does indeed get to the heart of the FCC's original -- and unlike content -- relatively non-controversial purpose.

So, I completely agree: think the CB radio precedent, where the FCC capitulated on their licensing requirements because of widespread popular usage will apply here, as long as power requirements are not exceeded and as long as usages in adjacent frequencies or of other related equipment are not affected.

From that article:

Channels 52 through 69 in the UHF television band, currently used by broadcasters, will be vacated on Feb. 17 as they convert to digital broadcasting. The government sold that section of airwaves for $19 billion in the FCC's most successful auction in history.

The FCC also is currently considering whether to allow companies to use the airwaves spaces between television channels, following the digital transition, for transmitting wireless broadband signals.

The consumer groups are recommending that the FCC halt sales of wireless microphones that operate between channels 52 and 69 and create a new "general wireless microphone service" to operate in other parts of the airwaves. They also want the FCC to require microphone manufacturers to replace the older devices.

Yeah, that'll happen!

John

I guess that means cracking down on the churches that use the wireless systems on those frequencies too. Not that any enforcement by any of these public agencies is possible any more. The Republicans have cut back personnel on the public payroll to that of skeleton crews for the FCC, FAA, FEC, FTC, and all the others. Watch the hearings on C-Span 3 and it will all become clear as to why lead in toys get past the one inspector for all the toys the entire United States (the God's honest truth),cracked fuselages on airplanes that are put in service and honest inspectors fired with one phone call from an airline company that the inspector was "bothering them", contaminated food that gets to the market, and so on. Watch it for yourself and turn off the Republican news media that covers it up for them at the public expense.

I am a conservative and I am proud of it. I am responsible for every bad thing that has ever happened. Feel free to blame me for all unfair things in this world. Now if you will excuse me I have to go fire some more government workers (I think I will go after the CDC, who needs those jokers).

I'd be all for a licensed frequency assigned just for me, what about itinerant frequencies? Not every thing is within my area of operation.

Does a licensed channel mean I can transmit with more power and have better
audio?

Somehow I think we won't be considered as our industry doesn't have the clout
as the big companies mentioned that bought the spectrum.

Normally, when I go back and read something I've written, I can usually find some plausible explanation for a "spirited reaction." In this case, I can find none. My post was about as bland an explanation of what the FCC is supposed to do, and how they have actually done things in practice. My only point is that given their charter and their habits, I doubt they will go after many wireless mic users.

I urge all readers to go back to my previous posts and see if you can figure out why I got the response that I did. I am baffled.

I am a conservative and I am proud of it. I am responsible for every bad thing that has ever happened. Feel free to blame me for all unfair things in this world.
==============
The news media and the Republican party have taken the term "conservative" and made it synonymous with dishonesty by calling the people running the party and the country "conservatives". Unfortunately, the brain washing has worked. Honest "conservatives" like myself and you are not the same as what these criminals are. Criminals are criminals, not "liberals", "moderates", or "conservatives" (middle term intentionally left out by news media and the criminal Republicans they represent because polarization works well for them).

John

Normally, when I go back and read something I've written, I can usually find some plausible explanation for a "spirited reaction." In this case, I can find none. My post was about as bland an explanation of what the FCC is supposed to do, and how they have actually done things in practice. My only point is that given their charter and their habits, I doubt they will go after many wireless mic users.

I urge all readers to go back to my previous posts and see if you can figure out why I got the response that I did. I am baffle
================
MIne wasn't a response John, just a rant.

John

Over 900 license holders.....
not much compared to the units out there.

I just hope when the' dust settles we can tune to a clean channel.
I'll keep my XLR cables handy.

Fair enough.

I suspect there will be far more anguish among the users of the wireless mics when their units get blasted by a TV station than the converse.

The range of the Shure units used in my church may reach the parking lot, but that's about it...

Calm down...

a) Very few of our UHF Wireless mics fall into the auctioned frequency ranges.
b) It will take years for new gear in the auctioned spectrum to go online.
c) Unlicensed mics have ALWAYS been secondary users - read the FCC information that came with your mic.
d) By the time any of the reallocation or whitespace devices cause headaches for some wireless mic users, it will probably be time to upgrade anyway.

Steve

Shure showed a video at our local AES meeting a few months back demonstrating wireless dropping out due to in band radiation.

The February date was chosen to right "after" the Superbowl.

Larry